Padlock with alarm function

ABSTRACT

A padlock includes a lock body, a lock shackle having two ends respectively inserted into a respective shackle hole in the lock body, two actuation members, two latches, a lock cylinder having a core inserted in between the actuation members and rotatable with a predetermined key to drive the actuation members in moving the latches to lock the lock shackle, and an alarm control device affixed to the lock body for causing a buzzer to buzz upon a vibration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to locks and more particularly, to apadlock, which provides a locking function as well as an alarm functionand, which has a simple structure and a compact size.

2. Description of the Related Art

Pad locks are portable locks used to protect against theft andunauthorized use. When a padlock is used to lock a door, window orvehicle, a theft may directly destroy the padlock or the door, window orvehicle for entry. Because conventional padlocks simply provide alocking function, they cannot give an alarm signal upon a forced orsurreptitious entry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances inview. It is one object of the present invention to provide a padlock,which provides a locking function as well as an alarm function. It isanother object of the present invention to provide a padlock, which hasthe characteristics of simple structure and compact size, convenient foruse.

To achieve these and other objects of the present invention, the padlockcomprises a lock body, a lock shackle having two ends respectivelyinserted into a respective shackle hole in the lock body, two actuationmembers, two latches, a lock cylinder having a core inserted in betweenthe actuation members and rotatable with a predetermined key to drivethe actuation members in moving the latches to lock the lock shackle,and an alarm control device affixed to the lock body for causing abuzzer to buzz upon a vibration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a padlock in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the padlock in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 corresponds to FIG. 2, showing the lock shackle removed from thelock body.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the padlock according to thepresent invention after removal of the lock shackle.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the cover plate according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the alarm control device according tothe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1˜6, a padlock in accordance with the presentinvention is shown comprising a lock body 1, an alarm control device 2,a lock shackle 3, a cover plate 4, two actuation members 5, a lockcylinder 6, and two latches 7.

The lock body 1 comprises an accommodation chamber 11, whichaccommodates the alarm control device 2 (see FIG. 4), a lock chamber 12,which accommodates the actuation members 5 and the core 61 of the lockcylinder 6 in between the actuation members 5 (see FIG. 4), two shackleholes 14 arranged in parallel at two opposite lateral sides relative tothe accommodation chamber 11 and the lock chamber 12, two slidinggrooves 13, which extend transversely between the lock chamber 12 andthe two shackle holes 14 and accommodate the latches 7 respectively, aplurality of first mounting holes 15 respectively disposed in the lockchamber 12 for the mounting of fastening members (not shown) to fixedlyfasten the lock cylinder 6 to the inside of the lock chamber 12, and aplurality of second mounting holes 17 for the mounting of screws 18 toaffix the cover plate 4 to the lock body 1. Further, each latch 7 hasone end, namely, the front end 71 inserted into one shackle hole 14, andthe other end, namely, the rear end 72 abutted against the associatingactuation member 5.

The alarm control device 2 comprises a housing 21 having a batterychamber 211 that accommodates a set of battery cells (not shown), and analarm circuit board 22 mounted inside the housing 21. The alarm circuitboard 22 comprises a vibration sensor (not shown), and a buzzer 222controllable by the vibration sensor to output an audio alarm signal.Because the alarm circuit board 22 is of the known art, no furtherdetailed description in this regard is necessary.

The lock shackle 3 is a U-bar having a first end 31, a second end 32, afirst retaining groove 311 located on the periphery of the first end 31at an inner side, and a second retaining groove 321 located on theperiphery of the second end 32 at an inner side. The first end 31 andthe second end 32 are respectively inserted into the shackle holes 14 ofthe lock body 1. When a user inserts the key into the lock cylinder 6 torotate the core 61, the actuation members 5 are driven by the core 61 tomove the latches 7, forcing the front ends 71 into the shackle holes 14.

The cover plate 4 comprises a plurality of mounting through holes 41respectively fastened to the second mounting holes 17 of the lock body 1by the mounting of screws 18 and then sealed with a respective waterseal 44, a cylinder hole 42, which receives the lock cylinder 6, and abottom chamber 43 fitting over the battery chamber 211 of the housing 21of the alarm control device 2.

After insertion of the first end 31 and second end 32 of the lockshackle 3 into the shackle holes 14 of the lock body 1, a user caninsert the key into the lock cylinder 6 to rotate the core 61 in movingthe latches 7 between the locking position and the unlocking position.When the latches 7 are in the locking position, the front ends 71 of thelatches 7 are respectively forced into engagement with the firstretaining groove 311 and second retaining groove 321 of the lock shackle3, thereby locking the shackle 3 to the lock body 1. In case of a forcedor surreptitious entry after locking of the padlock, the padlock will bevibrated. At this time, the vibration sensor will drive the buzzer 222to buzz. Further, when the latches 7 are in the unlocking position, thefront ends 71 of the latches 7 are respectively kept away from the firstretaining groove 311 and second retaining groove 321 of the lock shackle3, thereby unlocking the shackle 3 from the lock body 1.

Further, a magnet 312 is fixedly mounted on the first end 31 of the lockshackle 3. The alarm circuit board 22 further comprises an arm/disarmcontrol circuit (not shown) having connected thereto switching wires 24with an induction terminal 241. The induction terminal 241 of theswitching wires 24 is affixed to one side 111 of the accommodationchamber 11 of the lock body 1 adjacent to the inner side 141 of oneshackle hole 14 (see FIG. 4). When the first end 31 of the lock shackle3 is inserted into this shackle hole 14, the magnet 312 induces theinduction terminal 241 of the switching wires 24, thereby causing theswitching wires 24 to switch on the control circuit of the alarm controldevice 2, and therefore the alarm control device 2 is the alert mode. Onthe contrary, when the second end 32 of the lock shackle 3 is insertedinto this shackle hole 14, the induction terminal 241 of the switchingwires 24 is not induced, and the control circuit of the alarm device 2is off, and therefore the alarm control device 2 is disarmed.

Further, the lock body 1 has a locating groove 112 in the accommodationchamber 11 for the positioning of the buzzer 222 of the alarm controldevice 2. The buzzer 222 is electrically connected to the vibrationsensor at the alarm circuit board 22 by conductors 221.

Further, the lock chamber 12 of the lock body 1 is defined by twoopposing semicircular walls 121. Each actuation member 5 has an archednotch 51 and a protruding portion 52. The arched notches 51 of theactuation members 5 define a space 122 for receiving the core 61 of thelock cylinder 6. The protruding portions 52 of the actuation members 5are respectively abutted against the latches 7.

Further, the rear ends 72 of the latches 7 are protruded for theabutting of the protruding portions 52 of the actuation members 5respectively.

Further, the housing 21 of the alarm control device 2 is covered with agasket pad 214 to provide a water sealing effect after assembly of thecover plate 4 with the lock body 1.

In conclusion, the invention provides a padlock, which has the followingfeatures and advantages:

1. The padlock provides a locking function and an alarm function, and ispractical for use to lock a vehicle, door or window. When a thief opensor removes the padlock or the vehicle, door or window, the alarm controldevice of the padlock buzzes.

2. The padlock has a simple structure and compact size, convenient foruse and carrying.

3. A user can selectively switch on/off the alarm function.

4. The padlock provides an excellent waterproof function, wellprotecting the internal circuit against outside moisture.

5. The lock body can be made of zinc alloy, providing a high structuralstrength.

Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described indetail for purposes of illustration, various modifications andenhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except asby the appended claims.

1. A padlock, comprising: a lock body, said lock body comprising anaccommodation chamber, a lock chamber, a first shackle hole and a secondshackle hole arranged in parallel at two opposite lateral sides relativeto said accommodation chamber and said lock chamber, two sliding groovesrespectively transversely extended between two opposite lateral sides ofsaid lock chamber and said first shackle hole and said second shacklehole, a plurality of first mounting holes respectively disposed in saidlock chamber, and a plurality of second mounting holes; two actuationmembers mounted in said lock chamber of said lock body, two latchesrespectively mounted in said sliding grooves and movable by saidactuation members in and out of said first shackle hole and said secondshackle hole; a lock cylinder affixed to said first mounting holes ofsaid lock body, said lock cylinder comprising a core rotatable by apredetermined key to drive said actuation members in moving saidlatches; an alarm control device accommodated in said accommodationchamber of said lock body, said alarm control device comprising ahousing having a battery chamber that accommodates a set of batterycells, and an alarm circuit board mounted inside said housing, saidalarm circuit board comprising a buzzer to output an audio alarm signal;a U-shaped lock shackle, said U-shaped lock shackle comprising a firstend insertable into one of said first shackle hole and said secondshackle hole, a second end insertable into one of said first shacklehole and said second shackle hole, a first retaining groove located onthe periphery of said first end for the engagement of one said latch,and a second retaining groove located on the periphery of said secondend for the engagement of one said latch; and a cover plate, said coverplate comprising a plurality of mounting through holes respectivelyfastened to said second mounting holes of said lock body with arespective fastening member and sealed with a respective water seal, acylinder hole, which receives said lock cylinder, and a bottom chamberfitting over the battery chamber of said housing of said alarm controldevice.
 2. The padlock as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lock shacklefurther comprises a magnet fixedly mounted on the first end thereof;said alarm circuit board further comprises a set of switching wires andan induction terminal at one end of said set of switching wires, saidinduction terminal being affixed to one side of said accommodationchamber of said lock body adjacent to said first shackle hole andinducible by said magnet to switch on said alarm control device into analert mode upon insertion of the first end of said lock shackle intosaid first shackle hole.
 3. The padlock as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid lock body further comprises a locating groove disposed inside saidaccommodation chamber; said buzzer of said alarm control device ispositioned in said locating groove in said accommodation chamber of saidlock body and electrically connected to said alarm circuit board byconductors.
 4. The padlock as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lock bodycomprises two opposing semicircular walls defining said lock chamber;each said actuation member comprises an arched notch, which receives thecore of said lock cylinder, and a protruding portion abutted against onesaid latch.
 5. The padlock as claimed in claim 4, wherein each saidlatch comprises a protruded rear end abutted against the protrudingportion of one said actuation member.
 6. The padlock as claimed in claim1, wherein said alarm control device further comprises a gasket padcovering said housing.